Video: Search is on for next Ed Sheeran at Next Big Thing final in Norwich

Potential superstars of the future are about to take centre stage at the east of England's eighth annual search for the next big thing.

Brit Award winner Ed Sheeran – who performed at the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony – is among the previous Next Big Thing winners, along with Norwich-based group The Kabeedies, who have since played at Glastonbury and had their music featured in a worldwide advertising campaign.

This year's Next Big Thing Final 2012, which is run by Norwich-based Future Radio in association with Outline Magazine and Open, will be held on Saturday, November 10 at Open in Bank Plain, Norwich.

The finalists are Raevennan Husbandes, Burn The Headlines, Darwin & The Dinosaur, Freya Roy, Kings & Crows and The Thinking Men.

Future Radio station manager Terry Lee said: 'The quality over the two semi-finals was excellent. This year's winner could potentially go on to achieve success like that of Ed Sheeran.'

For the first time, the climax of the competition will be on a Saturday night, and live music manager at Open Rick Lennox said the date had changed owing to popular demand.

He added: 'The plan was originally to have the final on the Sunday night, as in previous years, but when the opportunity came up to change it to the Saturday night the bands and local music fans all agreed – Saturday night is best.'

Tickets are available from Open and the UEA box office on 01603 508050 or www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk